PARENTS DEMAND ANSWERS
One of our prominent boarding schools is under the spotlight after the death of a student.
The parents, who have invested all their life’s savings and energy on their son, are on a warpath. They want answers. The official word is that the bright form five boarder died from a strange sickness.
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BTL investigations reveal that the student had been sick for sometime. He complained of a leg pain but it appeared it wasn’t treated effectively.
When the pain became unbearable, the parents were called in.
They picked him up and shook their heads in disbelief when they saw his condition. On the way to the hospital, he drifted in and out of consciousness.
The parents assured him he would be ok but his condition continued to deteriorate.
The doctors tried their best to save him but he succumbed.
The medical report would tell a story. The history of the events that led to his death is another story.
The blame game has started. The parents now want the school and its principal held accountable for their alleged neglect. A report has been lodged with the Ministry of Education which has started the official investigation.
BTL understands this was a tragedy that could have been avoided if a system had existed to facilitate early intervention, detection and treatment of the problem.
Was this a severe indictment on the level of professionalism with the management?
Did it point to a serious flaw in the school leadership?
These are questions that will be answered in due course as the investigations continue.
The parents are not stopping here. They have not ruled out taking the matter to court if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigations.
SCHOOL CHALLENGES
Schools are having to deal with new behavioural challenges linked to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex and general truancy.
There are many ideas on how we can deal with these problems. BTL has heard some parents say their children were good before they went to school. Their children returned home with funny and sometimes vulgar expressions they picked up at school like swearing.
This is a common challenge for all parents.
One BTL tip that may be of help: Keep teaching your children correct principles and don’t give up. Let them govern themselves – meaning they have to learn for themselves by applying what you teach them. They will learn and grow from their experience.
